Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis polypeptides and corresponding DNA fragments

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to polypeptides of  Moraxella  ( Branhamela )  catarrhalis  which may be used for prophy-laxis, diagnostic and/or therapy purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to polypeptides, more particularly SMC-1 and SMC-2 polypeptides of Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis which may be used to prevent, diagnose and/or treat Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis infection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis is a Gram-negative diplococcus that causes respiratory tract infections in humans. M. catarrhalis is now accepted as the third most common cause of otitis media in infants and children, after Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. M. catarrhalis has also been associated with several other types of infection, including sinusitis, persistent cough, acute laryngitis, suppurative keratitis and conjunctivitis neonatorum.

Since approximately 90% of M. catarrhalis strains are resistant to antibiotics (β-lactamase positive) and that recurrent otitis media is associated with high morbidity, there is a need for the development of a vaccine that will protect hosts from M. catarrhalis infection. An infection by M. catarrhalis induces an immune response against antigens found at the surface of the bacterial cells. However, many of these surface proteins are still not characterized, nor has the immune response resulting in protection from infection by different strains been determined.

To develop a vaccine that will protect hosts from M. catarrhalis infection, efforts have mainly been concentrated on outer membrane proteins such as the high-molecular-mass protein named ubiquitous surface protein A (UspA). This protein is considered a promising vaccine candidate because a monoclonal antibody and polyclonal antibodies were both shown to be bactericidal and protective in the murine pulmonary-clearance model. However, this protein was shown to be highly variable among the different strains of M. catarrhalis. In addition to this protein, other M. catarrhalis proteins have generated interest as potential vaccine candidates. The transferrin-binding protein, which possesses conserved epitopes, exposed on the bacterial surface. However, there was divergence in the degree of antibody cross-reactivity with the protein from one strain to another. Other investigators have also focused on the 45-kDa protein CD (OMP CD). This protein is highly conserved among strains of M. catarrhalis, however adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease show variability in the immune response against the OMP CD.

Therefore there remains an unmet need for M. catarrhalis polypeptides that may be used to prevent, diagnose and/or treat Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis infection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 70% identity to a second polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID Nos: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof.

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to polypeptides comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID No: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof.

In other aspects, there are provided polypeptides encoded by polynucleotides of the invention, pharmaceutical compositions, vectors comprising polynucleotides of the invention operably linked to an expression control region, as well as host cells transfected with said vectors and processes for producing polypeptides comprising culturing said host cells under conditions suitable for expression.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents the DNA sequence of SMC-1 gene from M. catarrhalis strain ETSU C-2; SEQ ID NOS: 1. The underlined portion of the sequence represents the region coding for the leader peptide.

FIG. 2 represents the amino acid sequence of SMC-1 polypeptide from M. catarrhalis strain ETSU C-2; SEQ ID NOS: 2. The underlined sequence represents the 35 amino acid residues leader peptide.

FIG. 3 represents the DNA sequence of SMC-2 gene from M. catarrhalis strain ETSU C-2; SEQ ID NO: 3. The underlined portion of the sequence represents the region coding for the leader peptide.

FIG. 4 represents the amino acid sequence of SMC-2 polypeptide from M. catarrhalis strain ETSU C-2; SEQ ID NO: 4. The underlined sequence represents the 47 amino acid residues leader peptide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides purified and isolated polynucleotides, which encode Moraxella polypeptides which may be used to prevent, diagnose and/or treat Moraxella infection.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 70% identity to a second polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 80% identity to a second polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 95% identity to a second polypeptide 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 98% identity to a second polypeptide 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 70% identity to a second polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 80% identity to a second polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 95% identity to a second polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 98% identity to a second polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4.

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to polypeptides which comprise an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof.

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to polypeptides which comprise an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOS: 2 and 4.

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to polypeptides characterized by the amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof.

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to polypeptides characterized by the amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding an epitope bearing portion of a polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding an epitope bearing portion of a polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4.

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to epitope bearing portions of a polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof.

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to epitope bearing portions of a polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide chosen from:

-   (a) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 70%     identity to a second polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from:     SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof; -   (b) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 80%     identity to a second polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from:     SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof; -   (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 95%     identity to a second polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from:     SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof; -   (d) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising a sequence     chosen from: SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof; -   (e) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide capable of raising     antibodies having binding specificity for a polypeptide comprising a     sequence chosen from: SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs     thereof; -   (f) a polynucleotide encoding an epitope bearing portion of a     polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or     fragments or analogs thereof; -   (g) a polynucleotide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS:     1, 3 or fragments or analogs thereof; -   (h) a polynucleotide that is complementary to a polynucleotide in     (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g).

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide chosen from:

-   (a) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 70%     identity to a second polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from:     SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4; -   (b) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 80%     identity to a second polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from:     SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4; -   (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 95%     identity to a second polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from:     SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4; -   (d) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising a sequence     chosen from: SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4; -   (e) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide capable of raising     antibodies having binding specificity for a polypeptide comprising a     sequence chosen from: SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4; -   (f) a polynucleotide encoding an epitope bearing portion of a     polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4; -   (g) a polynucleotide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 1     or 3; -   (h) a polynucleotide that is complementary to a polynucleotide in     (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g).

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a polypeptide chosen from:

-   (a) a polypeptide having at least 70% identity to a second     polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or     fragments or analogs thereof; -   (b) a polypeptide having at least 80% identity to a second     polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or     fragments or analogs thereof; -   (c) a polypeptide having at least 95% identity to a second     polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or     fragments or analogs thereof; -   (d) a polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4     or fragments or analogs thereof; -   (e) a polypeptide capable of raising antibodies having binding     specificity for a polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ     ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof; -   (f) an epitope bearing portion of a polypeptide comprising a     sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs     thereof; -   (g) the polypeptide of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) wherein the     N-terminal Met residue is deleted; -   (h) the polypeptide of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) wherein the     secretory amino acid sequence is deleted.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a polypeptide chosen from:

-   (a) a polypeptide having at least 70% identity to a second     polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4; -   (b) a polypeptide having at least 80% identity to a second     polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4; -   (c) a polypeptide having at least 95% identity to a second     polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4; -   (d) a polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2 or     4; -   (e) a polypeptide capable of raising antibodies having binding     specificity for a polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ     ID NOS: 2 or 4; -   (f) an epitope bearing portion of a polypeptide comprising a     sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4; -   (g) the polypeptide of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) wherein the     N-terminal Met residue is deleted; -   (h) the polypeptide of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) wherein the     secretory amino acid sequence is deleted.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention includes DNA molecules, i.e. polynucleotides and their complementary sequences that encode analogs such as mutants, variants, homologues and derivatives of such polypeptides, as described herein in the present patent application. The invention also includes RNA molecules corresponding to the DNA molecules of the invention. In addition to the DNA and RNA molecules, the invention includes the corresponding polypeptides and monospecific antibodies that specifically bind to such polypeptides.

In a further embodiment, the polypeptides in accordance with the present invention are antigenic.

In a further embodiment, the polypeptides in accordance with the present invention are immunogenic.

In a further embodiment, the polypeptides in accordance with the present invention can elicit an immune response in a host.

In a further embodiment, the present invention also relates to polypeptides which are able to raise antibodies having binding specificity to the polypeptides of the present invention as defined above.

An antibody that “has binding specificity” is an antibody that recognizes and binds the selected polypeptide but which does not substantially recognize and bind other molecules in a sample, e.g., a biological sample. Specific binding can be measured using an ELISA assay in which the selected polypeptide is used as an antigen.

In accordance with the present invention, “protection” in the biological studies is defined by a significant increase in the survival curve, rate or period. Statistical analysis using the Log rank test to compare survival curves, and Fisher exact test to compare survival rates and numbers of days to death, respectively, might be useful to calculate P values and determine whether the difference between the two groups is statistically significant. P values of 0.05 are regarded as not significant.

In an additional aspect of the invention there are provided antigenic/immunogenic fragments of the polypeptides of the invention, or of analogs thereof.

The fragments of the present invention should include one or more such epitopic regions or be sufficiently similar to such regions to retain their antigenic/immunogenic properties. Thus, for fragments according to the present invention the degree of identity is perhaps irrelevant, since they may be 100% identical to a particular part of a polypeptide or analog thereof as described herein. The present invention further provides fragments having at least 10 contiguous amino acid residues from the polypeptide sequences of the present invention. In one embodiment, at least 15 contiguous amino acid residues. In one embodiment, at least 20 contiguous amino acid residues.

The skilled person will appreciate that analogs of the polypeptides of the invention will also find use in the context of the present invention, i.e. as antigenic/immunogenic material. Thus, for instance proteins or polypeptides which include one or more additions, deletions, substitutions or the like are encompassed by the present invention.

As used herein, “fragments”, “analogs” or “derivatives” of the polypeptides of the invention include those polypeptides in which one or more of the amino acid residues are substituted with a conserved or non-conserved amino acid residue (preferably conserved) and which may be natural or unnatural. In one embodiment, derivatives and analogs of polypeptides of the invention will have about 70% identity with those sequences illustrated in the figures or fragments thereof. That is, 70% of the residues are the same. In a further embodiment, polypeptides will have greater than 80% identity. In a further embodiment, polypeptides will have greater than 85% identity. In a further embodiment, polypeptides will have greater than 90% identity. In a further embodiment, polypeptides will have greater than 95% identity. In a further embodiment, polypeptides will have greater than 99% identity. In a further embodiment, analogs of polypeptides of the invention will have fewer than about 20 amino acid residue substitutions, modifications or deletions and more preferably less than 10.

These substitutions are those having a minimal influence on the secondary structure and hydropathic nature of the polypeptide. Preferred substitutions are those known in the art as conserved, i.e. the substituted residues share physical or chemical properties such as hydrophobicity, size, charge or functional groups. These include substitutions such as those described by Dayhoff, M. in Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure 5, 1978 and by Argos, P. in EMBO J. 8, 779-785, 1989. For example, amino acids, either natural or unnatural, belonging to one of the following groups represent conservative changes:

-   ala, pro, gly, gln, asn, ser, thr, val; -   cys, ser, tyr, thr; -   val, ile, leu, met, ala, phe; -   lys, arg, orn, his; -   and phe, tyr, trp, his.

The preferred substitutions also include substitutions of D-enantiomers for the corresponding L-amino acids.

In an alternative approach, the analogs could be fusion polypeptides, incorporating moieties which render purification easier, for example by effectively tagging the desired polypeptide. It may be necessary to remove the “tag” or it may be the case that the fusion polypeptide itself retains sufficient antigenicity to be useful.

The percentage of homology is defined as the sum of the percentage of identity plus the percentage of similarity or conservation of amino acid type.

In one embodiment, analogs of polypeptides of the invention will have about 70% homology with those sequences illustrated in the figures or fragments thereof. In a further embodiment, polypeptides will have greater than 80% homology. In a further embodiment, polypeptides will have greater than 85% homology. In a further embodiment, polypeptides will have greater than 90% homology. In a further embodiment, polypeptides will have greater than 95% homology. In a further embodiment, polypeptides will have greater than 99% homology. In a further embodiment, analogs of polypeptides of the invention will have fewer than about 20 amino acid residue substitutions, modifications or deletions and more preferably less than 10.

One can use a program such as the CLUSTAL program to compare amino acid sequences. This program compares amino acid sequences and finds the optimal alignment by inserting spaces in either sequence as appropriate. It is possible to calculate amino acid identity or homology for an optimal alignment. A program like BLASTX will align the longest stretch of similar sequences and assign a value to the fit. It is thus possible to obtain a comparison where several regions of similarity are found, each having a different score. Both types of identity analysis are contemplated in the present invention.

In an alternative approach, the analogs or derivatives could be fusion polypeptides, incorporating moieties which render purification easier, for example by effectively tagging the desired protein or polypeptide, it may be necessary to remove the “tag” or it may be the case that the fusion polypeptide itself retains sufficient antigenicity to be useful.

It is well known that it is possible to screen an antigenic polypeptide to identify epitopic regions, i.e. those regions which are responsible for the polypeptide's antigenicity or immunogenicity. Methods for carrying out such screening are well known in the art. Thus, the fragments of the present invention should include one or more such epitopic regions or be sufficiently similar to such regions to retain their antigenic/immunogenic properties.

In an additional aspect of the invention there are provided antigenic/immunogenic fragments of the proteins or polypeptides of the invention, or of analogs or derivatives thereof.

Thus, what is important for analogs, derivatives and fragments is that they possess at least a degree of the antigenicity/immunogenic of the protein or polypeptide from which they are derived.

Also included are polypeptides which have fused thereto other compounds which alter the polypeptides biological or pharmacological properties i.e. polyethylene glycol (PEG) to increase half-life; leader or secretory amino acid sequences for ease of purification; prepro- and pro-sequences; and (poly)saccharides.

Furthermore, in those situations where amino acid regions are found to be polymorphic, it may be desirable to vary one or more particular amino acids to more effectively mimic the different epitopes of the different Moraxella strains.

Moreover, the polypeptides of the present invention can be modified by terminal —NH₂ acylation (eg. by acetylation, or thioglycolic acid amidation, terminal carboxy amidation, e.g. with ammonia or methylamine) to provide stability, increased hydrophobicity for linking or binding to a support or other molecule.

Also contemplated are hetero and homo polypeptide multimers of the polypeptide fragments and analogs. These polymeric forms include, for example, one or more polypeptides that have been cross-linked with cross-linkers such as avidin/biotin, gluteraldehyde or dimethylsuperimidate. Such polymeric forms also include polypeptides containing two or more tandem or inverted contiguous sequences, produced from multicistronic mRNAs generated by recombinant DNA technology.

In a further embodiment, the present invention also relates to chimeric polypeptides which comprise one or more polypeptides or fragments or analogs thereof as defined in the figures of the present application.

In a further embodiment, the present invention also relates to chimeric polypeptides comprising two or more polypeptides having a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof; provided that the polypeptides are linked as to form a chimeric polypeptide.

In a further embodiment, the present invention also relates to chimeric polypeptides comprising two or more polypeptides comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 4 provided that the polypeptides are linked as to form a chimeric polypeptide.

Preferably, a fragment, analog or derivative of a polypeptide of the invention will comprise at least one antigenic region i.e. at least one epitope.

In order to achieve the formation of antigenic polymers (i.e. synthetic multimers), polypeptides may be utilized having bishaloacetyl groups, nitroarylhalides, or the like, where the reagents being specific for thio groups. Therefore, the link between two mercapto groups of the different polypeptides may be a single bond or may be composed of a linking group of at least two, typically at least four, and not more than 16, but usually not more than about 14 carbon atoms.

In a particular embodiment, polypeptide fragments and analogs of the invention do not contain a starting residue, such as methionine (Met) or Valine (val). Preferably, polypeptides will not incorporate a leader or secretory sequence (signal sequence). The signal portion of a polypeptide of the invention may be determined according to established molecular biological techniques. In general, the polypeptide of interest may be isolated from a Moraxella culture and subsequently sequenced to determine the initial residue of the mature protein and therefore the sequence of the mature polypeptide.

It is understood that polypeptides can be produced and/or used without their start codon (methionine or valine) and/or without their leader peptide to favor production and purification of recombinant polypeptides. It is known that cloning genes without sequences encoding leader peptides will restrict the polypeptides to the cytoplasm of E. coli and will facilitate their recovery (Glick, B. R. and Pasternak, J. J. (1998) Manipulation of gene expression in prokaryotes. In “Molecular biotechnology: Principles and applications of recombinant DNA”, 2nd edition, ASM Press, Washington DC, p.109-143).

According to another aspect of the invention, there are also provided (i) a composition of matter containing a polypeptide of the invention, together with a carrier, diluent or adjuvant; (ii) a pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or adjuvant; (iii) a vaccine comprising a polypeptide of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or adjuvant; (iv) a method for inducing an immune response against Moraxella, in a host, by administering to the host, an immunogenically effective amount of a polypeptide of the invention to elicit an immune response, e.g., a protective immune response to Moraxella; and particularly, (v) a method for preventing and/or treating a Moraxella infection, by administering a prophylactic or therapeutic amount of a polypeptide of the invention to a host in need.

According to another aspect of the invention, there are also provided (i) a composition of matter containing a polynucleotide of the invention, together with a carrier, diluent or adjuvant; (ii) a pharmaceutical composition comprising a polynucleotide of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or adjuvant; (iii) a method for inducing an immune response against Moraxella, in a host, by administering to the host, an immunogenically effective amount of a polynucleotide of the invention to elicit an immune response, e.g., a protective immune response to Moraxella; and particularly, (iv) a method for preventing and/or treating a Moraxella infection, by administering a prophylactic or therapeutic amount of a polynucleotide of the invention to a host in need.

Before immunization, the polypeptides of the invention can also be coupled or conjugated to carrier proteins such as tetanus toxin, diphtheria toxin, hepatitis B virus surface antigen, poliomyelitis virus VPl antigen or any other viral or bacterial toxin or antigen or any suitable proteins to stimulate the development of a stronger immune response. This coupling or conjugation can be done chemically or genetically. A more detailed description of peptide-carrier conjugation is available in Van Regenmortel, M. H. V., Briand J. P., Muller S., Plaué S., <<Synthetic Polypeptides as antigens>> in Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Vol.19 (ed.) Burdou, R. H. & Van Knippenberg P. H. (1988), Elsevier N.Y.

According to another aspect, there are provided pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more Moraxella polypeptides of the invention in a mixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant. Suitable adjuvants include (1) oil-in-water emulsion formulations such as MF59™, SAF™, Ribi™; (2) Freund's complete or incomplete adjuvant; (3) salts i.e. AlK(SO₄)₂, AlNa(SO₄)₂, AlNH₄(SO₄)₂, Al(OH)₃, AlPO₄, silica, kaolin; (4) saponin derivatives such as Stimulon™ or particles generated therefrom such as ISCOMs (immunostimulating complexes); (5) cytokines such as interleukins, interferons, macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF); (6) other substances such as carbon polynucleotides i.e. poly IC and poly AU, detoxified cholera toxin (CTB)and E.coli heat labile toxin for induction of mucosal immunity. A more detailed description of adjuvant is available in a review by M. Z. I Khan et al. in Pharmaceutical Research, vol. 11, No. 1 (1994) pp2-11, and also in another review by Gupta et al., in Vaccine, Vol. 13, No. 14, pp1263-1276 (1995) and in WO 99/24578. Preferred adjuvants include QuilA™, QS21™, Alhydrogel™ and Adjuphos™.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be administered parenterally by injection, rapid infusion, nasopharyngeal absorption, dermoabsorption, or buccal or oral.

The term “pharmaceutical composition” is also meant to include antibodies. In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided the use of one or more antibodies having binding specificity for the polypeptides of the present invention for the treatment or prophylaxis of Moraxella infection and/or diseases and symptoms mediated by Moraxella infection.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are used for the prophylaxis of Moraxella infection and/or diseases and symptoms mediated by Moraxella infection as described in Manual of Clinical Microbiology, P. R. Murray (Ed, in chief),E. J. Baron, M. A. Pfaller, F. C. Tenover and R. H. Yolken. ASM Press, Washington, D. C. seventh edition, 1999, 1773p. In one embodiment, pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are used for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of otitis media, sinusitis, persistent cough, acute laryngitis, suppurative keratitis, conjunctivitis neonatorum and invasive diseases, comprising administering to the host a prophylactic or therapeutic amount of a composition of the invention. In one embodiment, pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are used for the treatment or prophylaxis of Moraxella infection and/or diseases and symptoms mediated by Moraxella infection. In a further embodiment, the Moraxella infection is Moraxella Catarrhalis.

In a further embodiment, the invention provides a method for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of Moraxella infection in a host susceptible to Moraxella infection comprising administering to the host a prophylactic or therapeutic amount of a composition of the invention.

As used in the present application, the term “host” includes mammals. In a further embodiment, the mammal is human. In a further embodiment, the human is a neonate, infant or child. In a further embodiment, the human is an adult.

In a particular embodiment, pharmaceutical compositions are administered to those hosts at risk of Moraxella infection such as infants, elderly and immunocompromised hosts.

Pharmaceutical compositions are preferably in unit dosage form of about 0.001 to 100 μg/kg (antigen/body weight) and more preferably 0.01 to 10 μg/kg and most preferably 0.1 to 1 μg/kg 1 to 3 times with an interval of about 1 to 6 week intervals between immunizations.

Pharmaceutical compositions are preferably in unit dosage form of about 0.1 μg to 10 mg and more preferably 1 μg to 1 mg and most preferably 10 to 100 μg 1 to 3 times with an interval of about 1 to 6 week intervals between immunizations.

According to another aspect, there are provided polynucleotides encoding polypeptides characterized by the amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof.

In one embodiment, polynucleotides are those illustrated in SEQ ID Nos: 1, 3 which may include the open reading frames (ORF), encoding the polypeptides of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the polynucleotide sequences illustrated in the figures may be altered with degenerate codons yet still encode the polypeptides of the invention. Accordingly the present invention further provides polynucleotides which hybridize to the polynucleotide sequences herein above described (or the complement sequences thereof) having 70% identity between sequences. In one embodiment, at least 80% identity between sequences. In one embodiment, at least 85% identity between sequences. In one embodiment, at least 90% identity between sequences. In a further embodiment, polynucleotides are hybridizable under stringent conditions i.e. having at least 95% identity. In a further embodiment, more than 97% identity.

Suitable stringent conditions for hybridation can be readily determined by one of skilled in the art (see for example Sambrook et al., (1989) Molecular cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) ed, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, (1999) Edited by Ausubel F. M. et al., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., N.Y.).

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides polynucleotides that hybridize under stringent conditions to either

-   (a) a DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide or -   (b) the complement of a DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide;     wherein said polypeptide comprises a sequence chosen from SEQ ID     NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides polynucleotides that hybridize under stringent conditions to either

-   (a) a DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide or -   (b) the complement of a DNA sequence encoding a olypeptide;     wherein said polypeptide comprises a sequence chosen from SEQ ID     NOS: 2 or 4.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides polynucleotides that hybridize under stringent conditions to either

-   (a) a DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide or -   (b) the complement of a DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide;     wherein said polypeptide comprises at least 10 contiguous amino acid     residues from a polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID     NOS: 2, 4 or fragments or analogs thereof.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides polynucleotides that hybridize under stringent conditions to either

-   (a) DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide or -   (b) the complement of a DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide;     wherein said polypeptide comprises at least 10 contiguous amino acid     residues from a polypeptide comprising a sequence chosen from SEQ ID     NOS: 2 or 4.

In a further embodiment, polynucleotides are those encoding polypeptides of the invention illustrated in SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4.

In a further embodiment, polynucleotides are those illustrated in SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3 encoding polypeptides of the invention.

As will be readily appreciated by one skilled in the art, polynucleotides include both DNA and RNA.

The present invention also includes polynucleotides complementary to the polynucleotides described in the present application.

According to another aspect, there is provided a process for producing polypeptides of the invention by recombinant techniques by expressing a polynucleotide encoding said polypeptide in a host cell and recovering the expressed polypeptide product. Alternatively, the polypeptides can be produced according to established synthetic chemical techniques i.e. solution phase or solid phase synthesis of oligopeptides which are ligated to produce the full polypeptide (block ligation).

General methods for obtention and evaluation of polynucleotides and polypeptides are described in the following references: Sambrook et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989; Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Edited by Ausubel F. M. et al., John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York; PCR Cloning Protocols, from Molecular Cloning to Genetic Engineering, Edited by White B. A., Humana Press, Totowa, N. J., 1997, 490 pages; Protein Purification, Principles and Practices, Scopes R. K., Springer-Verlag, New York, 3rd Edition, 1993, 380 pages; Current Protocols in Immunology, Edited by Coligan J. E. et al., John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York.

The present invention provides host cells transfected with vectors comprising the polynucleotides of the invention.

The present invention provides a process for producing a polypeptide comprising culturing a host cell of the invention under conditions suitable for expression of said polypeptide.

For recombinant production, host cells are transfected with vectors which encode the polypeptides of the invention, and then cultured in a nutrient media modified as appropriate for activating promoters, selecting transformants or amplifying the genes. Suitable vectors are those that are viable and replicable in the chosen host and include chromosomal, non-chromosomal and synthetic DNA sequences e.g. bacterial plasmids, phage DNA, baculovirus, yeast plasmids, vectors derived from combinations of plasmids and phage DNA. The polypeptide sequence may be incorporated in the vector at the appropriate site using restriction enzymes such that it is operably linked to an expression control region comprising a promoter, ribosome binding site (consensus region or Shine-Dalgarno sequence), and optionally an operator (control element). One can select individual components of the expression control region that are appropriate for a given host and vector according to established molecular biology principles (Sambrook et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989; Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Edited by Ausubel F. M. et al., John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York). Suitable promoters include but are not limited to LTR or SV40 promoter, E. coli lac, tac or trp promoters and the phage lambda P_(L) promoter. Vectors will preferably incorporate an origin of replication as well as selection markers i.e. ampicilin resistance gene. Suitable bacterial vectors include pET, pQE70, pQE60, pQE-9, pD10 phagescript, psiX174, pbluescript SK, pbsks, pNH8A, pNH16a, pNH18A, pNH46A, ptrc99a, pKK223-3, pKK233-3, pDR540, pRIT5 and eukaryotic vectors pBlueBacIII, pWLNEO, pSV2CAT, pOG44, pXT1, pSG, pSVK3, pBPV, pMSG and PSVL. Host cells may be. bacterial i.e. E.coli, Bacillus subtilis, Streptomyces; fungal i.e. Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus nidulins; yeast i.e. Saccharomyces or eukaryotic i.e. CHO, COS.

Upon expression of the polypeptide in culture, cells are typically harvested by centrifugation then disrupted by physical or chemical means (if the expressed polypeptide is not secreted into the media) and the resulting crude extract retained to isolate the polypeptide of interest. Purification of the polypeptide from culture media or lysate may be achieved by established techniques depending on the properties of the polypeptide i.e. using ammonium sulfate or ethanol precipitation, acid extraction, anion or cation exchange chromatography, phosphocellulose chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography and lectin chromatography. Final purification may be achieved using HPLC.

The polypeptides may be expressed with or without a leader or secretion sequence. In the former case the leader may be removed using post-translational processing (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,431,739; 4,425,437; and 4,338,397) or be chemically removed subsequent to purifying the expressed polypeptide.

According to a further aspect, the Moraxella polypeptides of the invention may be used in a diagnostic test for Moraxella infection, in particular Moraxella infection.

Several diagnostic methods are possible, for example detecting Moraxella organism in a biological sample, or for diagnostic of a Moraxella infection in an host susceptible to Moraxella infection, the following procedure may be followed:

-   a) obtaining a biological sample from a host; -   b) incubating an antibody or fragment thereof reactive with a     Moraxella polypeptide of the invention with the biological sample to     form a mixture; and -   c) detecting specifically bound antibody or bound fragment in the     mixture which indicates the presence of Moraxella.

Alternatively, a method for the detection of antibody specific to a Moraxella antigen in a biological sample containing or suspected of containing said antibody may be performed as follows:

-   a) obtaining a biological sample from a host; -   b) incubating one or more Moraxella polypeptides of the invention or     fragments thereof with the biological sample to form a mixture; and -   c) detecting specifically bound antigen or bound fragment in the     mixture which indicates the presence of antibody specific to     Moraxella.

One of skill in the art will recognize that this diagnostic test may take several forms, including an immunological test such as an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a radioimmunoassay or a latex agglutination assay, essentially to determine whether antibodies specific for the protein are present in an organism.

The DNA sequences encoding polypeptides of the invention may also be used to design DNA probes for use in detecting the presence of Moraxella in a biological sample suspected of containing such bacteria. The detection method of this invention comprises:

-   a) obtaining the biological sample from a host; -   b) incubating one or more DNA probes having a DNA sequence encoding     a polypeptide of the invention or fragments thereof with the     biological sample to form a mixture; and -   c) detecting specifically bound DNA probe in the mixture which     indicates the presence of Moraxella bacteria.

The DNA probes of this invention may also be used for detecting circulating Moraxella i.e. Moraxella nucleic acids in a sample, for example using a polymerase chain reaction, as a method of diagnosing Moraxella infections. The probe may be synthesized using conventional techniques and may be immobilized on a solid phase, or may be labelled with a detectable label. A preferred DNA probe for this application is an oligomer having a sequence complementary to at least about 6 contiguous nucleotides of the Moraxella polypeptides of the invention. In a further embodiment, the preferred DNA probe will be an oligomer having a sequence complementary to at least about 15 contiguous nucleotides of the Moraxella polypeptides of the invention. In a further embodiment, the preferred DNA probe will be an oligomer having a sequence complementary to at least about 30 contiguous nucleotides of the Moraxella polypeptides of the invention. In a further embodiment, the preferred DNA probe will be an oligomer having a sequence complementary to at least about 50 contiguous nucleotides of the Moraxella polypeptides of the invention.

Another diagnostic method for the detection of Moraxella in a host comprises:

-   a) labelling an antibody reactive with a polypeptide of the     invention or fragment thereof with a detectable label; -   b) administering the labelled antibody or labelled fragment to the     host; and -   c) detecting specifically bound labelled antibody or labelled     fragment in the host which indicates the presence of Moraxella.

A further aspect of the invention is the use of the Moraxella polypeptides of the invention as immunogens for the production of specific antibodies for the diagnosis and in particular the treatment of Moraxella infection. Suitable antibodies may be determined using appropriate screening methods, for example by measuring the ability of a particular antibody to passively protect against Moraxella infection in a test model. One example of an animal model is the mouse model described in the examples herein. The antibody may be a whole antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof and may belong to any immunoglobulin class. The antibody or fragment may be of animal origin, specifically of mammalian origin and more specifically of murine, rat or human origin. It may be a natural antibody or a fragment thereof, or if desired, a recombinant antibody or antibody fragment. The term recombinant antibody or antibody fragment means antibody or antibody fragment which was produced using molecular biology techniques. The antibody or antibody fragments may be polyclonal, or preferably monoclonal. It may be specific for a number of epitopes associated with the Moraxella polypeptides but is preferably specific for one.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides the use of an antibody for prophylaxis and/or treatment of Moraxella infection.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of Moraxella infection in a host susceptible to Moraxella infection comprising administering to the host a prophylactic or therapeutic amount of a pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

In a further aspect, polynucleotides encoding polypeptides of the invention, or fragments, analogs or derivatives thereof, may be used in a DNA immunization method. That is, they can be incorporated into a vector which is replicable and expressible upon injection thereby producing the antigenic polypeptide in vivo. For example polynucleotides may be incorporated into a plasmid vector under the control of the CMV promoter which is functional in eukaryotic cells. Preferably the vector is injected intramuscularly.

A further aspect of the invention is the use of the antibodies directed to the polypeptides of the invention for passive immunization, whereby an antibody raised by a polypeptide of the invention is administered to a host in an amount sufficient to provide a passive immunization. One could use the antibodies described in the present application. Suitable antibodies may be determined using appropriate screening methods, for example by measuring the ability of a particular antibody to passively protect against Moraxella infection in a test model. One example of an animal model is the mouse model described in the examples herein. The antibody may be a whole antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof and may belong to any immunoglobulin class. The antibody or fragment may be of animal origin, specifically of mammalian origin and more specifically of murine, rat or human origin. It may be a natural antibody or a fragment thereof, or if desired, a recombinant antibody or antibody fragment. The term recombinant antibody or antibody fragment means antibody or antibody fragment which was produced using molecular biology techniques. The antibody or antibody fragments may be polyclonal, or preferably monoclonal. It may be specific for a number of epitopes associated with the Moraxella polypeptides but is preferably specific for one.

The use of a polynucleotide of the invention in genetic immunization will preferably employ a suitable delivery method or system such as direct injection of plasmid DNA into muscles [Wolf et al. H M G (1992) 1: 363; Turnes et al., Vaccine (1999), 17: 2089; Le et al., Vaccine (2000) 18: 1893; Alves et al., Vaccine (2001) 19: 788], injection of plasmid DNA with or without adjuvants [Ulmer et al., Vaccine (1999) 18: 18; MacLaughlin et al., J. Control Release (1998) 56: 259; Hartikka et al., Gene Ther. (2000) 7: 1171-82; Benvenisty and Reshef, PNAS USA (1986) 83:9551; Singh et al., PNAS USA (2000) 97: 811], targeting cells by delivery of DNA complexed with specific carriers [Wa et al., J Biol Chem (1989) 264: 16985; Chaplin et al., Infect. Immun. (1999) 67: 6434], injection of plasmid complexed or encapsulated in various forms of liposomes [Ishii et al., AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses (1997) 13: 142; Perrie et al., Vaccine (2001) 19: 3301], administration of DNA with different methods of bombardment [Tang et al., Nature (1992) 356: 152; Eisenbraun et al., DNA Cell Biol (1993) 12: 791; Chen et al., Vaccine (2001) 19: 2908], and administration of DNA with lived vectors [Tubulekas et al., Gene (1997) 190: 191; Pushko et al., Virology (1997) 239: 389; Spreng et al. FEMS (2000) 27: 299; Dietrich et al., Vaccine (2001) 19: 2506].

According to one aspect, the present invention provides the use of an antibody for prophylaxis and/or treatment of Moraxella infections.

In a further embodiment, the invention provides the use of a pharmaceutical composition of the invention in the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of Moraxella infection.

In a further embodiment, the invention provides a kit comprising a polypeptide of the invention for detection or diagnosis of Moraxella infection.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

EXAMPLE 1

This example illustrates the cloning and molecular characteristics of SMC-1 gene and corresponding polypeptide.

The coding region of M. catarrhalis SMC-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1) gene was amplified by PCR (DNA Thermal Cycler GeneAmp PCR system 2400 Perkin Elmer, San Jose, Calif.) from genomic DNA of M. catarrhalis strain ETSU C-2 using the following oligos that contained base extensions for the addition of restriction sites NcoI (CCATGG) and XhoI (CTCGAG): RIOS30 (5′-TATGTACCATGGCTGAACTCAATACCAGCCGTTCA-3′)(SEQ ID NO: 13) and RIOS31 (5′-GGCATGCTCGAGGTAATCATGTCTCCAAGCATTTTG-3′)(SEQ ID NO: 14). PCR products were purified from agarose gel using a QIA®quick gel extraction kit following the manufacturer's instructions (Qiagen®, Chatsworth, Calif.), and digested with NcoI and XhoI (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Inc, Baie d'Urf, Canada). The pET21d(+) vector (Novagen®, Madison, Wis.) was digested with NcoI and XhoI and purified from agarose gel using a QIA®quick gel extraction kit (Qiagen®). The NcoI-XhoI PCR products were ligated to the NcoI-XhoI pET21d(+) expression vector. The ligated products were transformed into E. coli strain DH5α Φ80dlacZΔM15 Δ(lacZYA-argF)U169 endA1 recA1 hsdR17(r_(K)−m_(K)+) deoR thi-1 supE44 λ⁻gyrA96 relA1] (Gibco BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) according to the method of Simanis (Hanahan, D. DNA Cloning, 1985, D. M. Glover (ed), pp. 109-135). Recombinant pET21d(+) plasmid (rpET21d(+)) containing SMC-1 gene was purified using a Qiagen® kit and DNA insert was sequenced (Taq Dye Deoxy Terminator Cycle Sequencing kit, ABI, Foster City, Calif.).

TABLE 1 Oligonucleotide primers used for PCR amplification of M. catarrhalis genes. Primers Restriction Sequence Genes I.D. site Vector (SEQ ID No) SMC-1 RIOS30 NcoI pET21d (+) 5′- TATGTACCATGGCTGAACT CAATACCAGCCGTTCA-3′ (SEQ ID No:5) SMC-1 RIOS31 XhoI pET21d (+) 5′- GGCATGCTCGAGGTAATCA TGTCTCCAAGCATTTTG-3′ (SEQ ID No:6) SMC-1 RIOS187 BglII pCMV-GH 5′- GGCAGATCTTGGAACTCAA TACCAGCCGTTC-3′ (SEQ ID No:7) SMC-1 RIOS188 SalI pCMV-GH 5′- ACGCGTCGACTTAGTAATC ATGTCTCCAAGCAT-3′ (SEQ ID No:8) SMC-2 RIOS20 NdeI pET21b (+) 5′- CGTACCAGCACATATGAAT AAACAAAACGCCAATCAA-3′ (SEQ ID No :9) SMC-2 RIOS21 XhoI pET21b (+) 5′- GCCCATCTCGAGTTGCGAT TCTGTCTCTGCC-3′ (SEQ ID No:10) SMC-2 RIOS189 BamHI pCMV-GH 5′- CGAGGATCCTAATAAACAA AACGCCAATCAAAC-3′ (SEQ ID No:11) SMC-2 RIOS190 HindIII pCMV-GH 5′- CAGAAGCTTTTATTGCGAT TCTGTCTCTGCC-3′ (SEQ ID No:12)

It was determined that the open reading frame (ORF) which codes for SMC-1 polypeptide contains 2781-bp and encodes a 926 amino acid residues polypeptide with a predicted pI of 6.31 and a predicted molecular mass of 104054.84 Da. Analysis of the predicted amino acid residues sequence (SEQ ID NO:2) using the Spscan software (Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package; Genetics Computer Group) suggested the existence of a 35 amino acid residues signal peptide (MHTAHHHRSKTYLTTAIRYALFGIASLPFVIPTYA)(SEQ ID NO: 15), which ends with a cleavage site located between an alanine and a glutamic acid residues.

To confirm the presence by PCR amplification of SMC-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1) gene, the following 3 distinct M. catarrhalis strains were used: M. catarrhalis ETSU C-2, ETSU T-25, and ETSU 658 clinical isolates were provided by the East Tennessee State University. The E. coli XL1-Blue MRF′ was used in these experiments as negative control. SMC-1 (SEQ ID NO :1) gene was amplified by PCR (DNA Thermal Cycler GeneAmp PCR system 2400 Perkin Elmer) from genomic DNA from the 3 M. catarrhalis strains, and the control E. coli strain using the oligonucleotides primers RIOS30 and RIOS31 (Table 1). PCR was performed with 5 cycles of 15 sec at 94° C., 30 sec at 47° C. and 3 min at 68° C. followed by 30 cycles of 15 sec at 94° C., 30 sec at 63° C. and 3 min at 68° C. and a final elongation period of 5 min at 68° C. The PCR products were size fractionated in 1% agarose gels and were visualized by ethidium bromide staining. The results of these PCR amplifications are presented in Table 2. The analysis of the amplification products revealed that SMC-1 (SEQ ID NO :1) gene was present in the genome of all of the 3 M. catarrhalis strains tested. No such product was detected when the control E. coli DNA was submitted to identical PCR amplifications with these oligonucleotide primers.

TABLE 2 Identification of M. catarrhalis genes by PCR amplification. Identification by PCR Strain amplification of Identification SMC-1 SMC-2 ETSU C-2 + + ETSU 658 + + ETSU T-25 + + E. coli − −

EXAMPLE 2

This example illustrates the cloning and molecular characteristics of SMC-2 gene and corresponding polypeptide.

The coding region of M. catarrhalis SMC-2 (SEQ ID NO: 3) gene was amplified by PCR (DNA Thermal Cycler GeneAmp PCR system 2400 Perkin Elmer) from genomic DNA of M. catarrhalis strain ETSU C-2 using the following oligos that contained base extensions for the addition of restriction sites NdeI (CATATG) and XhoI (CTCGAG): RIOS20 and RIOS21, which are presented in Table 1. The methods used for cloning SMC-2 gene into an expression vector and sequencing are similar to the methods described in Example 1.

It was determined that the open reading frame (ORF) which codes for SMC-2 contains 957-bp and encodes a 318 amino acid residues polypeptide with a predicted pI of 5.78 and a predicted molecular mass of 35954.10 Da. Analysis of the predicted amino acid residues sequence (SEQ ID NO:4) using the Spscan software (Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package; Genetics Computer Group) suggested the existence of a 47 amino acid residues signal peptide (VGKIMSKIPMMNEKYFRRQALYWLIAAAIMAGLWLIVWLTSSVPAMI) (SEQ ID NO: 16), which ends with a cleavage site located between an isoleucine and an asparagine residues.

The SMC-2 gene was shown to be present after PCR amplification using the oligonucleotide primers RIOS20 and RIOS21 in the 3 M. catarrhalis strains tested (Table 2). The methods used for PCR amplification of the SMC-2 gene were similar to the methods presented in Example 1. No such product was detected when the control E. coli DNA was submitted to identical PCR amplification with these oligonucleotide primers.

EXAMPLE 3

This example illustrates the cloning of M. catarrhalis genes in CMV plasmid pCMV-GH.

The DNA coding regions of M. catarrhalis polypeptides were inserted in phase downstream of a human growth hormone (hGH) gene which was under the transcriptional control of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promotor in the plasmid vector pCMV-GH (Tang et al., Nature, 1992, 356:152). The CMV promotor is non-functional plasmid in E. coli cells but active upon administration of the plasmid in eukaryotic cells. The vector also incorporated the ampicillin resistance gene.

The coding regions of SMC-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and SMC-2 (SEQ ID NO: 3) genes without their leader peptide regions were amplified by PCR (DNA Thermal Cycler GeneAmp PCR system 2400 Perkin Elmer) from genomic DNA of M. catarrhalis strain ETSU C-2 using oligonucleotide primers that contained base extensions for the addition of restriction sites BamHI (GGATCC), BglII (AGATCT), SalI (GTCGAC), or HindIII (AAGCTT) which are described in Table 1. The PCR products were purified from agarose gel using a QIAquick gel extraction kit (Qiagen), and digested with restriction enzymes (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Inc). The pCMV-GH vector (Laboratory of Dr. Stephen A. Johnston, Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas, Dallas, Tex.) was digested with BamHI, BglII, SalI, or HindIII and purified from agarose gel using the QIAquick gel extraction kit (Qiagen). The digested DNA fragments were ligated to the digested pCMV-GH vector to create the hGH-SMC-1 and hGH-SMC-2 fusion polypeptides under the control of the CMV promoter. The ligated products were transformed into E. coli strain DH5α [φ80dlacZΔM15 Δ(lacZYA-argF) U169 endα1 recA1 hsdR17 (r_(K)−m_(K)+) deoR thi-1 supE44λ⁻-gyrA96 relA1] (Gibco BRL) according to the method of Simanis (Hanahan, D. DNA Cloning, 1985, D. M. Glover (ed), pp. 109-135). The recombinant pCMV plasmids were purified using a Qiagen kit, and the nucleotide sequences of the DNA inserts were verified by DNA sequencing.

EXAMPLE 4

This example illustrates the use of DNA to elicit an immune response to M. catarrhalis polypeptide antigens.

A group of 8 female BALB/c mice (Charles River, St-Constant, Québec, Canada) were immunized by intramuscular injection of 100 μl three times at two- or three-week intervals with 50 μg of recombinant pCMV-GH encoding SMC-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and SMC-2 (SEQ ID NO: 3) genes in presence of 50 μg of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-expressing plasmid pCMV-GH-GM-CSF (Laboratory of Dr. Stephen A. Johnston, Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas, Dallas, Tex.). As control, a group of mice were injected with 50 μg of pCMV-GH in presence of 50 μg of pCMV-GH-GM-CSF. Blood samples were collected from the orbital sinus prior to each immunization and seven days following the third injection. Serum antibody responses were determined by ELISA using the corresponding His-Tag labeled M. catarrhalis recombinant polypeptides as coating antigen. The production and purification of these His-tag labeled M. catarrhalis recombinant polypeptides are presented in Example 5.

EXAMPLE 5

This example illustrates the production and purification of M. catarrhalis recombinant polypeptides.

The recombinant pET21 plasmid with SMC-1 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and SMC-2 (SEQ ID NO: 3) genes were used to transform by electroporation (Gene Pulser II apparatus, BIO-RAD Labs, Mississauga, Canada) E. coli strain AD494 (DE3) [Δara-leu7697 ΔlacX74 ΔphoA PvuII phoR ΔmalF3 F′ [lac⁺(lacI^(q)) pro] trxB::Kan (DE3)] (Novagen). In this strain of E. coli, the T7 promotor controlling expression of the recombinant polypeptide is specifically recognized by the T7 RNA polymerase (present on the λDE3 prophage) whose gene is under the control of the lac promotor which is inducible by isopropyl-β-d-thio-galactopyranoside (IPTG). The transformant AD494(DE3)/rpET21 was grown at 37° C. with agitation at 250 rpm in LB broth (peptone 10 g/L, yeast extract 5 g/L, NaCl 10 g/L) containing 100 μg of carbenicillin (Sigma-Aldrich Canada Ltd., Oakville, Canada) per ml until the A₆₀₀ reached a value of 0.5. In order to induce the production of His-tagged M. catarrhalis recombinant polypeptides, the cells were incubated for 3 additional hours in the presence of IPTG at a final concentration of 1 mM. Induced cells from a 500 ml culture were pelleted by centrifugation and frozen at −70° C.

The purification of the recombinant polypeptides from the soluble cytoplasmic fraction of IPTG-induced AD494(DE3)/rpET21 was done by affinity chromatography based on the properties of the His.Tag sequence (6 consecutive histidine residues) to bind to divalent cations (Ni²⁺) immobilized on the His.Bind metal chelation resin. Briefly, the pelleted cells obtained from a 500 mL culture induced with IPTG was resuspended in lysis buffer (20 mM Tris, 500 mM NaCl, 10 mM imidazole, pH 7.9) containing 1 mM PMSF, sonicated and centrifuged at 12,000 X g for 20 min to remove debris. The supernatant was deposited on a Ni-NTA agarose column (Qiagen). The His-tag labeled M. catarrhalis recombinant polypeptides were eluted with 250 mM imidazole-500 mM NaCl-20 mM Tris pH 7.9. The removal of the salt and imidazole from the sample was done by dialysis against PBS at 4° C. The quantities of recombinant polypeptides obtained from the soluble fraction of E. coli was estimated by MicroBCA (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.).

EXAMPLE 6

This example illustrates the reactivity of the His-tagged M. catarrhalis recombinant polypeptides with antibodies present in human palatine tonsils.

As shown in Table 3, SMC-1 and SMC-2 His-tagged recombinant polypeptide were recognized in immunoblots by the antibodies present in the human palatine tonsils. It indicates that humans, which are normally in contact with M. catarrhalis do develop antibodies that are specific to these polypeptides. These particular human antibodies might be implicated in the protection against M. catarrhalis infection.

TABLE 3 Reactivity in immunoblots of antibodies present in human palatine tonsils with M. catarrhalis His-tagged fusion recombinant polypeptides. Purified recombinant Apparent Reactivity in immunoblots with polypeptide molecular antibodies present in human I.D.¹ weight (kDa)² palatine tonsils³ SMC-1 104 + SMC-2 36 + ¹His-tagged recombinant polypeptides produced and purified as described in Example 5 were used to perform the immunoblots. ²Molecular weight of the His-tagged recombinant polypeptide was estimated after SDS-PAGE. ³Extracts from human palatine tonsils were not diluted in order to perform the immunoblots.

EXAMPLE 7

This example illustrates the accessibility to antibodies of the SMC-1 and SMC-2 polypeptides at the surface of M. catarrhalis strain.

Bacteria were grown in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth containing 1% dextrose at 37° C. in a 8% CO₂ atmosphere to give an OD_(490nm) of 0.650 (˜10⁸ CFU/ml). Dilutions of anti-SMC-1 or anti-SMC-2 or control sera were then added and allowed to bind to the cells, which were incubated for 2 h at 4° C. with rotation. Samples were washed 4 times in blocking buffer [phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing 2% bovine serum albumin (BSA)], and then 1 ml of goat fluorescein (FITC)-conjugated anti-mouse IgG Fc (gamma) fragment specific diluted in blocking buffer was added. After an additional incubation of 60 min at room temperature with rotation in the dark, samples were washed 4 times in blocking buffer and fixed with 0.25% formaldehyde in PBS buffer for 18 h at 4° C. Cells were centrifuged and resuspended in 0.5 ml of PBS buffer. Cells were kept in the dark at 4° C. until analyzed by flow cytometry (Epics® XL; Beckman Coulter, Inc.). Flow cytometric analysis revealed that SMC-1- and SMC-2-specific antibodies efficiently recognized their corresponding surface exposed epitopes on the homologous (ETSU C-2) M. catarrhalis strain tested (Table 4). It was determined that more than 89% of the 10,000 Moraxella cells analyzed were labeled with the antibodies present in the SMC-1- and SMC-2-specific sera. In addition, antibodies present in the pool of SMC-1- and SMC-2-specific sera attached at the surface of ETSU 658 strain of M. catarrhalis (Table 4). It was also determined that more than 90% of the 10,000 cells of this strain were labeled by the specific antibodies. These observations clearly demonstrate that the SMC-1 and SMC-2 polypeptides are accessible at the surface, where they can be easily recognized by antibodies. Anti-M. catarrhalis antibodies were shown to play an important role in the protection against M. catarrhalis infection.

TABLE 4 Evaluation of the attachment of SMC-1- and SMC-2- specific antibodies at the surface of intact cells of M. catarrhalis. Fluorescence % of labeled Serum Identification Strains Index² cells³ Pool of SMC-1- ETSU C-2 19.8 96.1 specific sera¹ ETSU 658 15.2 93.1 Pool of SMC-2- ETSU C-2 11.0 89.8 specific sera ETSU 658 11.9 90.5 Pool of negative ETSU C-2 1.0 1.0 control sera⁴ ETSU 658 1.0 1.0 Positive control ETSU C-2 25.0 97.4 serum⁵ ETSU 658 19.6 93.3 ¹The mice were injected subcutaneously five times at two-week intervals with 20 μg of purified recombinant polypeptides mixed with 10 μg of QuilA adjuvant (Cedarlane Laboratories, Hornby, Canada). The sera were diluted 1/50. ²The fluorescence index was calculated as the median fluorescence value obtained after labeling the cells with an immune serum divided by the fluorescence value obtained for a control mouse serum. A fluorescence value of 1 indicated that there was no binding of antibodies at the surface of intact Moraxella cells. ³% of labeled cells out of the 10,000 cells analyzed. ⁴Sera collected from unimmunized or sham-immunized mice were pooled, diluted 1/50, and used as negative controls for this assay. ⁵Serum obtained from a mouse immunized with 20 μg of purified outer membrane polypeptides from M. catarrhalis strain ETSU-C2 was diluted 1/1000 and was used as a positive control for the assay.

EXAMPLE 8

This example illustrates the bactericidal activities of anti-SMC-1 and anti-SMC-2 mouse sera.

Bacteria are plated on chocolate agar plate and incubated at 37° C. in a 8% CO₂ atmosphere for 16 h. Bacterial cells are then resuspended in bacteriolysis buffer [10% Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) and 1% hydrolyzed casein, pH 7.3] to an OD_(490nm) of 0.25 and diluted to 8×10⁴ CFU/ml. The bactericidal assay is performed by mixing 25 μl of the bacterial suspension with 50 μl of diluted heat-inactivated test serum and 15 μl of HBSS and incubating for 15 min at 37° C., 8% CO₂ with agitation (200 rpm). The rabbit complement-containing serum is then added to a final concentration of 10%, and the mixture is incubated for an additional 60 min at 37° C., 8% CO₂ with agitation (200 rpm). At the end of the incubation period, the number of viable bacteria is determined by plating 10 μl of the assay mixture on chocolate agar plate. The plates are incubated at 37° C. in an 8% CO₂ atmosphere for 18-24 h. The control consists of bacteria incubated with heat-inactivated sera collected from mice before immunization and rabbit complement. The bactericidal titer is determined as the highest serum dilution resulting in killing of 50% or more of the bacteria compared to the control. The M. catarrhalis strain ETSU 658 is used to evaluate the bactericidal activity of the sera. Bactericidal activity against M. catarrhalis strain ETSU 658 is detected in sera collected from mice immunized five times with 20 μg of purified recombinant SMC-1 or SMC-2 polypeptides.

EXAMPLE 9

This example illustrates the protection of mice against M. catarrhalis infection induced by immunization.

Groups of 10 female BALB/c mice (Charles River) are immunized subcutaneously five times at two-week intervals with 20 μg of affinity purified His-tagged M. catarrhalis recombinant polypeptides in presence of 10% of QuilA adjuvant (Cedarlane Laboratories Ltd) or, as control, with QuilA adjuvant alone in PBS. Blood samples are collected from the orbital sinus on day 0, 14, 28, 42, and 56 prior to each immunization and 14 days (day 70) following the fifth injection. One week later the mice are challenged intrapulmonary with approximately 1×10⁶ CFU of the M. catarrhalis strain ETSU 658. Samples of the M. catarrhalis challenge inoculum are plated on chocolate agar plates to determine the CFU and to verify the challenge dose. Mice are killed by an intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbital (Euthanyl™) 5 h after infection. The intact lungs are excised and homogenised in a tissue homogeniser. The lung homogenate is assessed for bacterial clearance by plating of serial dilutions for CFU determination. 

1. An isolated polypeptide comprising (a) an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; or (b) an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the polypeptide is capable of raising antibodies that specifically bind to the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.
 2. An isolated polypeptide comprising: (a) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; (b) the polypeptide of (a), wherein the N-terminal methionine residue is deleted; or (c) the polypeptide of (a), wherein the signal peptide amino acid sequence is deleted.
 3. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide according to either claim 1 or claim 2 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or adjuvant.
 4. A method for inducing an immune response against Moraxella catarrhalis in a host comprising administering to said host the composition according to claim
 3. 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the host is a neonate, an infant or a child.
 6. A method according to claim 4 wherein the host is an immunocompromised host.
 7. A method according to claim 4 wherein the host is an adult.
 8. A method of diagnosing Moraxella catarrhalis infection in a host susceptible to Moraxella catarrhalis infection comprising: (a) obtaining a biological sample from a host; (b) incubating one or more polypeptides according to either claim 1 or claim 2 with the biological sample to form a mixture; and (c) detecting specifically bound polypeptide in the mixture which indicates the presence of an antibody that specifically binds to the Moraxella catarrhalis antigen thereby detecting Moraxella catarrhalis infection.
 9. A method for the detection of an antibody that specifically binds to a Moraxella catarrhalis antigen in a biological sample containing or suspected of containing said antibody comprising: (a) obtaining a biological sample from a host; (b) incubating one or more polypeptides according to either claim 1 or claim 2 with the biological sample to form a mixture, and (c) detecting specifically bound polypeptide in the mixture which indicates the presence of an antibody that specifically binds to the Moraxella catarrhalis antigen.
 10. A kit comprising the polypeptide according to either claim 1 or claim 2 for detection or dialgnosis of Moraxella catarrhalis infection. 